NATIONAL REUNION REGISTRY FOR SIBLINGS SEPARATED IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

WHEREAS, the Child Welfare League and
the American Psychological Association have voiced the importance of sibling
reunification amongst those separated in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS,
siblings separated by placement in different homes suffer from the lack of a
centralized registry in which to locate one another; and

WHEREAS,
there is recognized mental health significance to the reunification of
separated siblings, as well as physical health ramifications; and

WHEREAS,
national legislation to create a national reunion registry for adopted adults,
siblings and birth parents has been introduced and passed in the United States
Senate (most recently S 1487 in 1997); and

WHEREAS,
such legislation created a national Voluntary Mutual Reunion registry
established at the Department of Health and Human Resources which could be
accessed through mutual consent in a signed notarized statement,

NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors
encourages Congress to pass legislation creating a national, voluntary, mutual
reunion registry for siblings separated in the foster care system as well as
for adopted adults and birth parents.